Turkey says Syria operation will be 'proportionate and responsible'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 09 announced the launch of Operation Spring of Peace in northern Syria in order to clear out the ISIS terrorist organizations. The same day, Turkey reportedly also told the United Nations Security Council, before a closed-door meeting held to discuss Ankara's offensive, that the military operation would be proportionate, measured and responsible. On request of the five European members — Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and Poland — the UNSC will be holding a meeting on October 10 to talk about the situation in Syria, although Turkey has already justified its action under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which covers an individual or collective right to self-defense against armed attack. 

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Operation will only be target terrorists: Turkey's UN Ambassador

Turkey's UN Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu reportedly claimed in a letter that the operation will only be targetting terrorists and their hideouts, shelters, emplacement, weapons vehicles and equipment. He further wrote that all precautions are taken to avoid collateral damage to the civilian population. However, the Turkish bombardment in northeastern Syria has reportedly already killed almost 15 people out of which eight of them were civilians. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was concerned by developments in northeast Syria and claimed that any military operation must fully respect the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. He also said that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict while calling for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. 

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Operation Spring Armed Forces

According to President Erdogan, the goal of Operation Spring Armed Forces is to eliminate the “terrorist corridor”, the southern border of Turkey to re-establish peace and security. Moreover, this military operation after the American troops were dislocated from north-east Syria, will also help in eliminating the “threat of terrorism” directed at his country. A few hours before President Erdogan announced the launch of the military operation, the President of United States, Donald Trump took to Twitter to declare that US involvement in middle-east was the “worst decision ever” made in history. Furthermore, going into the disputed area has “endless wars” and the ”slow and careful” retraction of the US troops from Syria has at least ended the wars for his country. However, Donald Trump's decision has also been heavily criticized by other US leaders as the Syrian Kurds had supported America in their fight against IS militants.

(With inputs from agencies)

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